Difference between revisions of "Superleggera"

From WOI Encyclopedia Italia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m
m
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{X}}
 
{{X}}
 +
[[Image:superleggera.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Touring Superleggera emblem in a Lamborghini car]]
  
 +
'''Superleggera''' is an [[automobile]] construction technology used in Italy from the middle of the 20th century. The name means "super light" in [[Italian language|Italian]], and was patented in 1937 by the Italian [[coachbuilder]], [[Carrozzeria Touring]]. Unlike the [[monocoque]] and [[body-on-frame]] methods widely adopted by the 1950s, Superleggera cars use a frame of  metal tubes as a full-body frame which closely follow the shape of the car. These are then covered with body panels, made of aluminium. The Superleggera frame tubes are too small and of unsuitable material for mounting suspension components. This distinguishes it very clearly from [[spaceframe]] construction where no separate chassis is required.
  
'''Superleggera''', also called '''tube-frame''', is an [[automobile]] construction technology used in [[classic car|classic]] [[sports car]]s in the middle of the [[20th Century]]. The name means "super light" in [[Italian language|Italian]], and was coined in 1937 by the Italian [[coachbuilder]], [[Touring]].  Unlike the [[monocoque]] and [[body-on-frame]] methods widely adopted by the [[1950s]], superleggera cars use a network of thin metal tubes as a full-body frame. These are then covered with metal body panels, often made of exotic lightweight materials like [[aluminium]] or [[magnesium]].  This construction technique is no longer used in production cars today, but is still found in low-volume and hand-built sports models.
+
The Superleggera construction method was primarily based on the use of 'Duraluminium', which originated from the aeronautic industry just before WW II. Carrozzeria Touring sold a Superleggera license to Aston Martin, who used it for their DB4, 5 and 6 models. This construction technique is no longer used in volume production cars today, but it is sometimes still found in low-volume and hand-built sports models.
 +
 
 +
In 2008, a new Superleggera chassis was introduced by the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera srl. of Milan for their new A8GCS Berlinetta prototype with Maserati mechanical parts.
  
 
Notable superleggera models include:
 
Notable superleggera models include:
* Most pre-1970 [[Ferrari]]  
+
*[[Alfa Romeo 8C|Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 Mille Miglia]]
* [[Maserati]] models, including the [[Maserati 3500]]
+
*[[Aston Martin DB4]] and [[Aston Martin DB5|DB5]]
* [[Alfa Romeo]] Most from 1937 to 1950s, including all 2900B's, and the 2600 (convertible, 4-seater)
+
*[[Pegaso Z-102]]
* [[Aston Martin]]'s [[Aston Martin DB4|DB4]], [[Aston Martin DB5|DB5]], and [[Aston Martin DB6|DB6]]
+
*[[Ferrari]]s 166, 195, 212 and 340 models
* [[Lamborghini]] Lamborghini 350GTV
+
*[[Lamborghini 350GTV]]
* [[Lancia]] Lancia Flaminia Convertible
+
*[[Lancia Flaminia]] Convertible
* [[BMW]] 1938 328 Touring Roadster
+
*[[BMW 328]] Touring Roadster''
 +
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
Line 18: Line 23:
 
* [[Body-on-frame]]
 
* [[Body-on-frame]]
 
* [[Spaceframe]]
 
* [[Spaceframe]]
 
+
* [[Backbone chassis]]
  
 
[[Category:Automotive technologies]]
 
[[Category:Automotive technologies]]
 +
[[Category:Structural system]]
 +
[[Category:Structural engineering]]

Revision as of 18:42, 12 November 2008

Touring Superleggera emblem in a Lamborghini car

Superleggera is an automobile construction technology used in Italy from the middle of the 20th century. The name means "super light" in Italian, and was patented in 1937 by the Italian coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Touring. Unlike the monocoque and body-on-frame methods widely adopted by the 1950s, Superleggera cars use a frame of metal tubes as a full-body frame which closely follow the shape of the car. These are then covered with body panels, made of aluminium. The Superleggera frame tubes are too small and of unsuitable material for mounting suspension components. This distinguishes it very clearly from spaceframe construction where no separate chassis is required.

The Superleggera construction method was primarily based on the use of 'Duraluminium', which originated from the aeronautic industry just before WW II. Carrozzeria Touring sold a Superleggera license to Aston Martin, who used it for their DB4, 5 and 6 models. This construction technique is no longer used in volume production cars today, but it is sometimes still found in low-volume and hand-built sports models.

In 2008, a new Superleggera chassis was introduced by the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera srl. of Milan for their new A8GCS Berlinetta prototype with Maserati mechanical parts.

Notable superleggera models include:


See also